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What is Soft Tissue Sarcoma?
Sarcomas are large group of malignant tumors that can be found almost anywhere in the body and can strike young and old alike. Soft tissue sarcomas can develop in every type of soft tissue in the body, including nerves, fat, muscle and blood vessels. Sarcomas can also occur in almost any organ, including the lungs, heart, gastrointestinal tract, liver, kidney and the extremities.
More than half of soft tissue sarcomas—about 60% —occur in the arms and legs. Other common sarcoma sites include the trunk (20% of cases), the abdomen (15%) and the head and neck region. Sarcomas that occur in cartilage and bone are discussed on our bone cancer portal.
Risk factors for soft tissue sarcomas include several inherited genetic conditions. People with genetic mutations responsible for neurofibromatosis type 1, Li-Fraumeni syndrome, Gardner’s syndrome and inherited retinoblastoma are at increased risk of sarcoma. Other risk factors include people whose lymph nodes were damaged or removed during previous cancer treatments, and prolonged exposure to vinyl chloride (used in making plastics). While previous radiation treatment may be a risk factor, it is only responsible for about 5% of sarcoma cases.
Symptoms of Sarcoma
Sarcomas close to the surface of the skin may be easily detected, but those deeper in the body may not become apparent until they get large. Only about half of sarcomas are detected in the early stages before they spread. Symptoms may include:
- A new lump
- A lump that appears to be growing in size
- Abdominal pain (when the tumor becomes large enough to affect nearby organs)
- Blood in the feces or vomit
- Unexplained anemia
- A new pain
- After some type of injury
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